April 2016

The Nampa Board of Trustees meets the second Tuesday of the month. Below is a summary of the April 12, 2016 meeting. The next regular meeting will be May 10, 2016.

WORK SESSION

2016-17 Budget Development – Superintendent David Peterson reviewed the Superintendent’s Budget Guidelines for 2016-17 and a PowerPoint presentation on budget development. The district is expecting increases in state revenue that will be offset or reduced by a projected decrease in elementary enrollment because of expanding and new charter schools.

CALL TO ORDER

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

The Board of Trustees heard from three students in the district's automotive program which is housed at Nampa High School but is open to students in all of our schools. Students Janessa Riley (Columbia), Sam Dufur (Skyview) and Trent Israel (Columbia) and teacher Tim Hailey shared success getting jobs in the industry and a recent fund-raising car show.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Six teachers sign up to speak to the Board on the proposed calendar agenda item.

TRUSTEE COMMENTS

Trustee Otten shared he had attended the Spring Fling Career Technical Education day and was impressed with the programs available.

Trustee Simpson shared she was invited the Nampa Education Association leadership meeting and encouraged other board members to meet with staff.

Trustee Fuller highlighted the district’s improved bond rating and noted the district is in very good financial health. He also complimented Columbia High School’s STEM program.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Nicole MacTavish shared an overview of the process to develop recommendations for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 School Year Calendars. The Board heard from the six teachers who presented petitions and shared concerns about the proposed calendar. The Board discussed the recommendation and the concerns shared. The Board 3-2 approved a motion to direct the district’s calendar committee to present other option(s).

Bond Rating Meetings

Superintendent Peterson noted the Board was provided information about the district’s increase in bond ratings and the subsequent bond refinancing that resulted in about $3 million in interest savings.

Innovation Schools

Superintendent Peterson shared the district was seeking to development schools utilizing the state’s new Innovation Schools legislation.

Executive Directors Hiring Announcement

Superintendent Peterson shared that directors were hired for the 2016-17 school year. He previously sent this information to the Board:

Gerald Williams was hired as the Executive Director of Elementary Education, a position that supervises the 14 elementary principals. He will replace Nancy Chopko who retires at the end of the school year. Gerald currently serves the students, families and staff in the school districts of Placer County, California. His reputation for helping schools improve, especially transforming struggling schools, is impressive. More impressive, however, is how Gerald creates collaborative cultures where these transformations are embraced and led by the families, students and staff at each school. We couldn’t be happier or more fortunate to have such a positive, professional and successful educator joining our team.

Scott Parker was hired as the Executive Director of Secondary Education, overseeing the districts middle and high school principals. Scott’s most recent success is his complete transformation of Ft. Vancouver High School in Vancouver Washington. Ft. Vancouver worked very hard, with Scott’s leadership, to transition from an underperforming school to a highly sought after place to work and learn. He has successfully addressed many of the challenges that we face, and brings us the exact set of skills and attitudes that we need to continue our journey to greatness. We are so fortunate that Scott’s youngest daughter is a graduating senior, allowing Scott and his wife the freedom to come and join Team Nampa.